mackenzie



4 (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

I J. MACKENZIE.

SWING BRIDGE FOR RAILWAYS.

No. 581,468.- Patented-Apr. 27, 1897..

mz Nam-us PETERS co vnmo-uraou WASMINOTON, o. c.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. MACKENZIE.

SWING BRIDGE FOR RAILWAYS.

No. 581,468. Patented Apr. 2'7, 1897.

TIE-

m: uunms PETfiRS co, PNOYOLIYHQ. WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT Enron,

JOHN MACKENZIE, OF KINGUSSIE, SCOTLAND.

SWING-BRIDGE FOR RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 581,468, dated April 2'7, 1897.

Application filed December 31, 1895. Serial No. 573,875. (No model.) Patented in England November 16, 1895,1i0. 21,772,

and in Germany November 27,1895,No.88,805.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, JOHN MACKENZIE, gentleman, of The Post Office, Kingussie, in the county of Inverness, Scotland, have invented a Swing-Bridge for Railways for Conveying Luggage, doc. from Platform to Platform, (for which I have obtained patents in Great Britain, No. 21,772, dated November 16, 1895, and in Germany, No. 88,805, datedNovember 27, 1895,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a swing-bridge for railways, which bridge is arranged level, or approximately so, with the platform, so that passengers luggage, 850., can be readily wheeled or otherwise conveyed by means of the said bridge from platform to platform. By my said invention labor is saved and the transference of luggage, 850., from platform to platform is effected quickly.

Figure 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 a cross-section, and Fig. 3 a side View, of one method of carry ing out my said invention, the parts being shown in the position taken by them when the bridge is in use; and Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of modifications of the same.

I employ two swinging platforms, wings, or arms A, each of which is mounted on the top ends of upright spindles or shafts B, which work in suitable bearings 1), formed in or provided in the framework of the platform 0, the said bearings being preferably composed of one bottom bearing and one or more eyelet or other top bearings, which are sunk into the framework or masonry of the platform 0. The said wings or arms A when in their normal position lie in recessed portions D of the platform 0, said portions being provided with a metal or other sole-plate E and covered by metal or other plates E, preferably mounted in suitable frames 6. The beds, floors, or sole-plates E of the said recessed portions D may also be provided with one or more friction-rollers, so as to insure of the wings or arms A being swung easily into place. The swinging of the said arms or wings A may be effected by various means, though I prefer to employ an arrangement of levers, cranks, and rods, as shown in the drawings-that is to say, I mount on the lower end of each of the upright spindles or shafts B a crank or lever arm G, to which is attached the one end of an adjustable connecting-rod H, the other end of which is attached to the one arm of a pivoted bell-crank lever J, the other arm of which is connected to the one end of a link or arm K, the other ends of both of the said links K being connected to the main operating-rod L, which, as well as the connecting-rods H, is provided with one or more adjustable right-and-left band-screw nuts M. The bell-crank levers J may be provided with one or more stops j, so as to prevent them overreaching.

The main operating-rod L is actuated from the cabin, signal-box, or other place by means of an upright spindle or rod N, (shown in detail view, Fig..4,) the lower end of which is 0011- nected to the end of rod L by means of bellcranks n and adjustable rod or rods n. The upper end of the said rodN is connected to the arm n of a pivoted lever N, the other end a of which is preferably formed as a spur or toothed quadrant, into which gears a correspondingly-toothed quadrant or wheel a, the spindle or shaft of which has keyed or otherwise mounted on it the operating-lever P, the said lever P being suitably connected to the interlocking frame or, bar of the signal-operating mechanism, so that if line was signaled clear the bridge could not be used, and vice versa.

In order to support the outer ends of the wings A, I employ a central support or platform Q in the six-footway, having one or more uprights and a central filling-in piece q. The said central support or platform has also a normal stop or flange q, and, if desired, one or more Weighted or other automatically-acting catches, which come into action when the bridge is in a position across the lines.

The wings or arms A are provided with raised edges a or with sunk tracks CL, or with both, so as to admit of a sure and safe run for the truck or barrow; also, they are provided with suitable means at their rear or inner ends as to enable the wheels of the barrow or truck to enter and leave the bridge easily from both platforms 0. Also, if desired, automatic acting stops may be provided at the outer ends of the wings Afor retaining them in their closed positions.

The whole of the foregoing cranks,rods, (to.

may, if desired, be inclosed within suitablycovered boxes, so as to keep them clean and in good order.

As a modification I may so mount the arms or wings A as to be capable of moving away from each other in opposite directions, as shown in detail plan, Fig. 5-that is to say, each wing A would move so as to close the bridge in the same direction as the train goes forward on the line crossed by the respective wings A, the arrangement of the cranks and levers being as shown in Fig. 5-that is to say, I mount the crank G of the one upright spindle or shaft B of the one wing A in the reverse manner to the opposite wings crank G, and I also correspondingly lengthen the arms of the pivoted bell-crank lever J for actuating the same, or suitably bend the connecting-rod H, as shown at It, so as to cause the wings to move in the direction of the arrows. In this case the central support Q may be provided with two normal stops and automatic catches.

As a further modification I may pivot the bridge on a fixed central support at a level with the platforms, the said support being in the middle of the six-foot way, the arrangement being such that when the bridge is not required it would be swung round into a position parallel with the lines and then tilted up edgewise, so as to leave as much room in the six'foot way as possible. The swinging round and tilting of the bridge may be effected by any suitable arrangement or arrangements of levers, cranks, &c.

Various other modifications may be employed for lifting, swinging, or tilting the bridge wing or wings out of the way of the lines-as, for example, the bridge sides may be made collapsible or capable of being folded or tilted upward in the six-foot way by any suitable means.

Various other arrangements of operating mechanism may be employed in the signalboX, cabin, or elsewhere.

If desired, I may provide means whereby the approaching train causes the bridge to be opened so as to allow the train to pass.

I claim- 1. In combination with the two platforms of a railway-station arranged on opposite sides of the railway-track, the two swinging platforms or wings A each pivoted at B to one platform, a fixed support Q arranged centrally between the platforms, and means for operating the swinging platforms simultaneously for moving them into engagement with the central support to form a bridge across the track, substantially as set forth.

2. In a bridge, the combination of the two horizontally-swinging platforms or Wings A pivoted upon the upright spindles B, the cranks G on said spindles, the bell-cranks .l pivoted to a stationary support, the rods lrI connecting bell-cranks J with cranks G, a rod L, suitable mechanism for operating rod L, and the link K connecting rod L with bellcranks J, substantially as set forth.

JNO. MACKENZIE.

\Vitnesses:

DUNIDAS Ponruous MQKINLAY, ARTHUR FREDERICK Bnnonss. 

